noured and rewarded by the crown on that account, will think (whatever the querift does) that it is a breach of good manners to attempt, however unfuccefsfully, to befpatter with every foul, but undefiling language, thofe of our countrymen who are difpofed to fhew refpect to the person who was fo inftrumental in reviving the fpirit, and raifing the glory of the nation. Nor fhould any one make quite light either of the hiffings or acclamations of what may be called the rabble. For as the trumpet is not the voice which it makes to be heard, neither is the found of the multitude, even of the loweft fort, to be confidered merely as their own, When left to themfelves they generally but echo the voice of their fuperiors; and if they are at any time in the wrong, they feldom continue long fo. Their language, especially when accompanied with an almoft total filence of thofe refpectable bodies, which ufually addrefs the throne on great occafions, is a mark, if not a proof, of the general fenfe of the nation; which probably has made itself to be felt where it has not been at all agreable. —But although I may think them very blame-worthy, whoever they be, that without caufe fet up to oppofe the determination of king, lords and commons, and to render them odious to the multitude, even the ignorant, unthinking, wanton croud, (which I hope is a thing not in the power of any fet of men;) I must be of opinion, that their conduct is not lefs culpable, and that it must be of a much more dangerous tendency, who deny the capacity of the greateft part of the nation to judge, or would deprive the PEOPLE OF ENGLAND of the right to dif approve of determinations either of king, lords, and commons feverally, or of them altogether. THAT indeed I cannot help confidering as an attempt to overthrow the whole conftitution; and, if authorized, would not only fhut the door against the most moft dutiful and lawful remonftrances against the paffing of laws, from which bad confequences are feared, but would exclude all applications for the repealing of any laws in force, from which inconyeniences have been felt. To me it appears, that the voice of the nation, when uttered by the true organs of the conftitution, is conftitutional. I think, however, that Mr. Pitt's coming into the ministry, 1757, was not fo much a proof of that which did not (in my apprehenfion) need to be proved, as it was a fign that the voice of the people is heard at the throne; and that it has fometimes been thought not unworthy to be attended to by the crown. I am perfuaded it always will be, while princes reign amongst us who place their glory in reigning for the people's happinefs; which has been the endearing character of the illuftrious houfe of Hanover, ever fince it was called to the crown by the voluntary fuffrages of a FREE PEOPLE. But I cannot, I own, perceive the least paralel between the circumftances of Mr. Pitt's coming into the ministry, and thofe of the Highland rebels coming into England at a time when it was not prevented. Whether it could or could not have been prevented (as I think it would have been by the bravery of a few good English troops opposed to them) it is certain that it was not by the voice of the English nation that those rebels came fo far as they did. And though I cannot altogether agree to what the querift fays is well known that they forced their way, my own opinion being that they advanced with eafe, not having been obftructed; yet if it had been literally fo, there is furely no fimilarity between that and the other affair to which it is compared. The fovereign who had the key of his own clofet, opened the door of it to Mr. Pitt. He did it in compliance with the voice of the PEOPLE-the people, whofe voice is very well well known, and easily distinguished from the noise of a mob.-That may be called force, but it is a compulfion without violence. Its efficacy proves the wisdom of those who yield to it, not the infolence of those who use it. The iffue fhewed, that the PEOPLE judged right in that inftance, and they may do fo in any other. Neither will the voice of the people be stifled by the harsh epithets of mob, rabble, ignorant, wanton, and all the reft of them. And we would do well to take care, that when we pretend, under fuch defcriptions, to cenfure the dregs of the people, we do not vilify the flower of the nation. The following letters, &c. are genuine, and the originals of fome of them are in the poffeffion of the earl of HALIFAX. They are prefented to the public, because they bear an immediate relation to the NORTH BRITON; particularly that of the 21ft of August 1762. MR R. Secker prefents his compliments to Mr. Wilkes, he has been three times at his house to wait on him from lord Talbot. Mr. Secker would be obliged to Mr. Wilkes to let him know by a note directed to him at Mr. Holford's St. James's Palace, where and what time Mr. Secker could fpeak to him this afternoon. If he does not hear from Mr. Wilkes, will wait on him by nine o'clock to-morrow morning at his house. Sept. 10. half an hour paft two o'clock. Diretted to John Wilkes, Efq; • Mr. 'Mr. Wilkes's compliments to Mr. Secker, was not acquainted till this minute by his note, that Mr. Secker had once called in Great Georgeftreet, fhall be at home from seven till eight this evening, and as Mr. Wilkes fhall be alone, he fuppofes at this meeting Mr. Secker will bring no company.' Great George-street, Friday afternoon, Five, Sept. 10. Mr. Secker, at Mr. Holford's St. James's Mr. Secker's compliments to Mr. Wilkes, he will wait on him alone this evening between feven • and eight.' St. James's. Directed to SIR, John Wilkes, Efq; As I have received no answer to a letter I wrote to you on the 25th of August, and find by fending to your houfe in town that I can have no immediate opportunity of feeing you, I am forced again by a letter to ask if you avow or disclaim being author of the paper entitled the North • Briton of the 21st of Auguft.' TALBOT. Bolton-street. Directed to Col. Wilkes. Great Great George-street, Friday Sept. 10, My Lord, I beg your lordship to do me the juftice to believe that I have never yet received the letter to me at Winchester, which Mr. Secker tells me was fent there a fortnight ago. I have juft now the honour of your lordship's by that gentleman. • Your lordship afks if I avow or disclaim being author of the paper entitled the North Briton of the 21ft of Auguft. My anfwer is, that I muft firft <infift on knowing your lordship's right to catechise me about an anonymous paper. If your lordship is not fatisfied with this, I fhall ever be ready to give your lordship any other fatisfaction becoming me as a gentleman.' I am, my lord, Directed to Your lordship's most obedient, JOHN WILKES. Earl Talbot. My Lord, Winchester, Sept. 14, 1762. I left Winchester, with lord Effingham's leave, on the fecond of Auguft, and did not return to this city till the 12th of this month. My drummajor brought me your lordship's letter yefterday. I now return it with the feal unbroke, as the cleareft demonftration that I never have read the contents of it. I fuppofe they are the fame with the • letter |